The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
IleCqptaiQ's Daughter.
BY WIN. PERRY BROWN,
anthor of THE Courtin' of Pole Bryson," I" The
shootiu' Match at Postum Trot,'
"Darthuly.' Etc.
PROLOGUE.


During the night after the second days fight
at Chickamauga, parties Of confederates with
torches were moving here and there in search
of the wounded. One of these, led by q stall
wart Georgian, came upon q young federal
lieutenant of cavalry whose arm had been
shattered by a fragment of shell, while con-
sequent fall from his horse had dislocated his
collar bone.
Blythe lanterns light the captain gazed upon
a pain-distorted, boysh face. AS he held
canteen Of water to the parted lips, his hand
was grasped by the unwounded hand of the
sufferer, and during the youths removal TO
stretcher his eyes followed the bearded Geor-
CLANS face with the appealing constancy OF
conscious helplessness.
''Do not leave me- he said, as the captain
was about to give way TO the approaching sur
geon.
II can do you no good now" replied the
other. yours is case for the doctor; he'll
attend to you"
''Do not leave me-" pleaded the sufferer
with strange persisteney.
what about him, Meigs2" asked the cap
tain of the surgeon
''The left arm must come off. The collar
bone we can set in a jiffy, so move yourself,
my man. We have no an@sthetics, as your
cavalry captured our medicine chest. But
here is some whisky"
The young federal shook his head and again
grasped the captains hand, holding it despite
the latter's gentle efforts to prevent it, during
the amputation which Immediately took place.
The young mans nerve was wonderful, not
withstanding his slender physique. Such
patient repression of the signs of agony strong
ly touched the captain. But when all was
concluded, with gasping sigh, the patient
swooned away.
GOOD grit, remarked the surgeon, forcing
a few drops of the rejected stimulant between
the pallid lips.
Odd if he hasn't" replied the Georgian as
he prepared to go.
Just then he saw soldier remove ring
from n finger of the amputated hand
GIVE it here" lie said "None of that work
with his poor boys property"
The captain took the ring, intending to re-
store it to its owner when the latter became
conscious and able TO claim his own. But q
AaI hour later an unexpected move OF
Thomas's corps caused this particular point to
be temporarily abandoned. When at daylight
the cOnfederates reoccupied it, the young fed
eral with other wounded men left there were
gone.
Then the captain thought of the ring. 1t
was OF gold, with a heart-shaped garnet fdnked
by two small diamonds, bearing on the inside
a rudely carved inscription which the Georgian
failed to decipher. Che chances of war are
heard Of the officer again, and not knowing
either his name or regiment had 10 retacing
cleW by which to return it.
The war swept on and, in time, came to an
end. The Georgian retired to devastated
plantation and fought as manfully Tor SuDsist-
ence as he had formerly done for glory. lie
became stout and grizZled, and children in
time grow up around HIM
The ring still lay unclaimed in his wallet.
Was its owner still alive? He yet nourshed o
faint hope OF one day restoring it, despite a
growing fear that the riddle OF ownership
would forever remain unsettled.
l.
Paterfamilias sat with chair tilted back and
his feet on the piazza railing The local paper
was in his lap and a cob pipe was in his mouth.
His SON stood at the foot Of the piazza steps
booted and spurred.
"TLe Checyer place has been sold father"
he said
"Wen, who bought it, Bud?"
"a yankee, as usual. One Of those ever
Iastingly smart fellows who come down south
30 show we po' rebs' how to farm. His name
Is Barker, believe; a Wisconsin man. and an
old soldier in the late unpleasantness"
"Im glad he has smelled powder" exclaim-
cd The planter. doubtless he has got over
being mad at us and won't 60 crazy over the
negroes"
The young man strolled off and his father
dropped into a reverie. Twelve years since
the surrender Of Lee, and what changes not
alteration OF his own sentiments regarding the
results Of that intemicine conflict wherein he
h.'d fought 50 hard to win yet had lost all bat
honor.
A feminine voice was heard trilling a IA
miliRr air.
"Here. Lucy" he called 'rbring me
drink
A trim young lady, with saucy yet refined
features and dark red hair, brought out a
gourd Of water.
"Cheeyers sold out. he said briefly, after
drinking.
"I'm glad Of it," she replied, promptly.
"Pethaps now he'll go OF and let me alone."'
Poor fellow reckon he can't help liking
you, Puss."
"Why, papa. he is old and round-shouldered
and coarse and jealous. Then, too he drinks
like fish"
'Yet Cheever has his good points"
81 don't know where they are, papa. But
there comes some one"
q horseman was coming up the drive leading
from the public r0ad up to the house. He dis